Rendezvous (23 page)

She is a stronger fighter than any man I’ve ever met, and she is relentless in her pursuits. It took a miracle to bring her back into my arms, and in return, I was blessed with an even bigger miracle. As I write these words, the love of my life is carrying a child who will forever embody the eternal love she and I share.

So it is in this moment that I stand before this woman who has captured my very heart and soul, and ask that she make my one everlasting wish come true.

Will you Marry Me, Bentley?

I look up from the page, tears flooding my eyes, to see Tristan down on one knee with a ring I never thought I would see again. I’m so choked up, the only thing I can do was shake my head yes. Luckily, he understands just fine. Before I can blink, he is on the other side of the table, lifting me in his arms.

Though I can hear all the of commotion around me, the hoots and claps and the romantic sighs, none of it registers as he slips the ring onto my finger and captures my lips against his. When he steps away from me again, I look down at the ring and a new wave of emotion sweeps over me. I can’t believe what I’m wearing.

Years ago, I passed this jewelry store while out with Dante. I never showed him the ring, but I told him if I ever got engaged, that the ring from that shop will be the one I’ll wear. For years I passed by that jeweler and for years I continued to tell myself that I was meant to have that ring. I’d fallen in love with that ring, but I never showed it to anyone. I simply admired it through its glass casing. To me, it was really just a pipedream since I never had any intention of getting engaged. I never planned on letting anyone get that close to me.

There is no way for Tristan to know what that ring meant to me. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece, so he couldn’t have found it anywhere else. He bought that ring, my ring, before I left him. I can’t believe that he held onto it all of this time. That even when I had my doubts, he still believed in this crazy fate that we were meant to belong to each other.

I stand here smiling like an idiot as everyone admires the beautiful jewel on my finger. Looking up, I see him watching me intently and I just have to know. “How did you know? I know Dante must have said something, but how did you know which one?”

He smiles back at me and responds. “Dante told me where to find the jeweler. When I stepped into the store I looked through the case and that ring,” he says gesturing to my finger, “it stood out like a diamond in a coal mine. It made all of the others look dull in comparison. When I looked at it closer, I just knew. It’s everything you are: elegant, breathtaking, enchanting, and its depth houses mystery and intrigue. I’ve always said you’re a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. While I understand you a slight degree better, I know I’ll spend the rest of my lifetime unearthing your secrets.”

For the first time ever, I know what it feels like to be a lovesick fool. Maybe it’s my hormonal emotions, or his grand romantic gesture, but either way I‘m completely and utterly engrossed in my love for this man.

Chapter 23

Tristan

When we get back to the house as everyone piled into the living room, I burst through the door screaming, “She said yes!” By everyone I mean almost everyone, I mean all of the people Bentley has come to care about: Cage, Jacob, Marco, Aggie, Mrs. Anders, and Maddie. There are still a few people missing but I’m working on that.

I know Bentley worked her ass off to make a special dinner, but Marco convinces us all to go out and celebrate. I can tell by the time dinner arrives, the day has taken its toll on her. Even though she’s excited, it looks as though she’ll pass out any moment.  We have so much to celebrate. I pass around the photo of the sonogram, keeping the baby’s name to myself, while Bentley retells every one of my proposal.

Marco wastes no time in jumping the gun though. I want to ease Bentley into my plans, but before I can, Marco blurts them out. “Tristan informed me that he’s planning to have the wedding before the baby is born. That doesn’t leave us much time to organize, though I think it should be done either in the gardens or on the beach.”

Bentley is stunned as she looks between us, before focusing again on me. “What is he talking about? What’s this about having the wedding before she’s born? We never talked about this. Why am I just now hearing this? Holy shit…we’ve been engaged a few hours and you and my father are already planning out my wedding without me!” Bentley yells.

Well shit, this is not how I wanted this to go. I try backtracking, “Bentley, it’s not like that. I was just hoping that we could get married before she’s born. I’d like you to have my name, both of you have my name by then.”

I know from the look on her face she isn’t buying it. She then looks to Marco and asks, “What else have you two been deciding behind my back? Do you have the guest list all worked out as well? Are you planning a big wedding or a small one?”

I fucking pray that he will just shut his mouth. I know whatever he says I’ll be paying for later. He hasn’t been around to learn her mood swings and she is about to cross over into hostile territory. He doesn’t hold his tongue though.

“It’s customary to have a large wedding. You have much family and as Tristan is learning, he has quite a few as well. I think it’s only right that they should all be there to celebrate.”

It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. She looks like she’s ready to tear us both apart. “I have no say in this?” she fumes. “Well if you two have it all worked the fuck out, then why don’t you marry each other. Since obviously what I want doesn’t fucking matter. While I’m sure Tristan would want his family there, you’re mistaken if thinking I want a bunch of people I’ve never met at my wedding. Has it occurred to you that in your traditional wedding, there are things that I just don’t have?”

I attempt to calm her down even though I know it’s useless. “Baby, nothing is set in stone. It would be nice to have a traditional wedding and have everyone there. You can’t fault your father for wanting that for you.”

I know in hindsight, I royally fucked up as she stands up at the table.

Her agitation is evident as she speaks. “So that’s it then, you two have it all fucking planned out. How can you not fucking understand!” she shouts. “You have people who you know and love who would stand by your side. I have a father I barely know, and people who can’t even discern between employee and friend. I don’t have bridesmaids, or a flower girl, I don’t have a ring bearer. What I have is a best friend with impeccable taste but who would look scary as hell if I dressed him in drag. If this is really what you think I would want then you don’t know me at all,” she finishes before storming out of the restaurant.

I sigh as I get up from the table, “Well that didn’t go as planned. I’ll go talk to her,” I say before chasing after her.

I hadn’t thought about how much not having those things around her would bother her. When I think about it though, of course she’s right, who does she really have? She has a man she met less than a year ago, a best friend who admittedly would be scary as fuck in a dress, and me. That’s all she really has. Whereas, I have Aggie and Cage, and lots of family that I’m just getting back in touch with, but would love to be by my side.

I’ve gotten used to her emotional roller-coasters and fully expect to find her crying. To say I’m wrong is an understatement. She is fuming as she paces back and forth. I listen as the expletives roll off her tongue. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her pissed off like this. I try approaching her carefully, but if I’m being honest, I know no matter what, someone is walking away tonight with more than a bruised ego. I figure it’s better me than Marco, and at least that way I can minimize any damage she does to herself.

She doesn’t notice me as I walk up to her and as I say her name she turns swinging. I’m completely caught off guard as she connects hard with my jaw, the pain that radiates through it has my eyes watering.

“You selfish fucking son of a bitch. How dare you?” she hollers as she slams another fist into my stomach. “You know this isn’t only about you, asshole. Did you even consider what I’d want?” she continues before driving the heel of her foot right below my knee. I drop to the ground and deflect the kick she aims at my balls. “Fucking jerk off, I hope you catch some unknown fucking disease and your balls turn green and fall off, you cock sucking bastard,” she wails before trying to walk away.

I jump up faster than I should have and try to fight the wave of nausea rolling over me as I grab for her.

“Don’t fucking touch me! You don’t get to fucking touch me. You don’t get to try and decide the way my life is going to play out without me, then think you have any right to come near me. It doesn’t fucking work that way, dickhead.”

I’m pissed. I’m not sure if it’s at her or her father at the moment, but I take it out on her. “Get the fuck over it, Bentley. It wasn’t set in fucking stone. Okay, yes I suggested it to your father. Yes, I did it behind your back. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to discuss it with you first. Of course, you have a say in how big the wedding is!” I scream.

“Oh is that so? She mocks. “So if I tell you I don’t want anyone there, then what, Tristan? What if I don’t want to look like a fucking blimp on my wedding day, how about that? Hmm...What then, Tristan?”

Shit… That I did not see coming. I truly had no intention of her not being a married woman when she brought our baby into the world. It was the one thing on which I wasn’t compromising.

Still holding onto her arm, I lower my voice. “We’re going to talk about this Bentley, one way or another.”

She stares directly at me, and lowers her voice in a menacing tone, “What the fuck is there to talk about? According to you and my father, the only thing I’m supposed to do is show up and say I do. Well right now, let me tell you something…I don’t. All of this talk about us having your name…we don’t need your fucking name. Now let me fucking go before I make sure you never get the chance to even try giving this baby a sibling.”

By that time everyone is outside and they have a front row seat to what transpires. I watch Bentley get into Dante’s car and speed off. Turning around, I kick the tire on my car, muttering under my breath, Happy fucking birthday, Tristan.”

How I could manage to have everything turn from perfect into a fucking nightmare within a matter of minutes is anyone’s best guess. I swear it’s like I really do have a talent for pissing her the fuck off, although right now, I’m not copping to this shit at all. I don’t know what the fuck Marco is playing at, but he was out of line. Never once in all of our talks did I say anything about a wedding size. Sure I wanted it, but nothing was written it in stone.

I say good night to everyone and head back to Bentley’s house. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to find myself locked the fuck out. You’d think after all of these months, I’d have gotten a set of keys made, but I didn’t. I bang on the door for a few minutes and try the doorbell a couple of times but she never comes down to answer. I guess that’s her way of telling me my ass will be getting acquainted with the dog house.

Bentley

I’m so infuriated with Tristan and my father’s ridiculous plans for my future. I’m like one of those unlucky bitches from the Middle Ages who are forced into marriage. The only thing missing is my damn dowry, although if you think about it, I already have my father’s house and money, so I guess that would qualify. Not that it fucking matters. No one is deciding my life for me. I spent too many damn years fighting for a life of my own that no one is dictating what I will or won’t be doing. I will never again have someone force me to accept their decisions. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need some asshole telling me what to do and when to do it. I refuse to fucking allow it.

When I get home from that crackpot dinner, my body is so tense I can barely make it up the steps. I think for the first time since I was six, I turn the heat up on the water. I sit in the middle of the shower floor and just let it pulse down on me from every direction. I don’t know how long I stay in that shower, but I know there isn’t even an ounce of warm water by the time I get out.

I wake up much more relaxed than when I went to bed, even though I wake up alone. After throwing on an oversized t-shirt and some flannel pants, I head downstairs. I told Maddie the night before that she didn’t need to come in this morning so I have the house to myself. I’m unsure where Tristan is, and honestly I don’t care right now. I’m sure he and my father are off conspiring against me some more.

I’m still fucking shocked that either of them would think that stunt they tried to pull was a good idea. I bet had he conferred with Aggie, she’d have warned him trying that shit would get him his ass kicked. It wasn’t his ass that I kicked though. The memory of punching Tristan in the face brings back the throbbing pain in my hand. Fuck, that man’s face his hard.

Come to think of it, the only thing not hard on him is his dick, well unless I’m riding it. I giggle out loud as the thought occurs to me. I never thought I would like sex after what happened to me, let alone enjoy it. I’m lost in a sea of my own thoughts and don’t hear the knocking on the front door. By the time I reach it, the knocking has turned into a pounding that is growing louder and harder.

I pull the door open, intent on bitching out whomever is on the other side, but before I have the chance I’m being backed into the wall behind me, and Tristan has taken full possession of my mouth. It’s easy to get lost in his kiss, and I probably would have stayed like that all day if I wasn’t pissed off at him.

Pushing him off of me is no easy task. I move past him to shut the door he left open and when I turn to face him, I see something that almost frightens me. He has this wild look to him, like an animal left to fend for itself. He looks feral, and as he stalks back to where I’m standing, my fight or flight response kicked in.

Tristan looks dangerous. Of course the brooding attitude, and gigantic stature doesn’t help that any, nor does the five o’clock shadow edging around his face. He reaches out for me, and I twist to try and avoid him. I intend on running away, but that’s pretty fucking difficult when you have a bowling ball for a stomach. He has his hands wrapped around my torso before I manage to get two feet away. I’m wiggling to try and break free, when his voice stops me in my tracks. It’s low and gravely, intimidating and dominant. It’s sexy as fuck and damn if it doesn’t go straight to my core. I try to press my legs together to suppress the reaction he causes within me.

“Don’t move, don’t run from me Bentley, just don’t,” he warns as he buries his nose into my neck.

I don’t move. I’m barely even breathing as his hands roamed across my body. He’s peppering kisses against my neck and shoulder, and even though my mind is saying one thing, my body is reveling in the attention. I hate how much I fucking want him. Actually, that’s a complete lie, and no matter how much I tell myself it, I know I’ll never believe it.

I moan as he lightly pinches my nipple through my shirt, the sensitivity causing delicious sensations to run down my spine. He is edging me forward as he continues his sensual assault. By the time we reach the couch, my panties are drenched from the low rumbling of his voice and precise execution of his touches.

I don’t care how awkward our lovemaking ends up being, and it doesn’t matter that I have to adjust my position numerous times because of my baby bump. What matters is that somehow in that moment he manages to dig himself even deeper inside of me, leaving an imprint on my heart and soul as we lay there on the couch basking in the fervent afterglow.

“Are you ready to talk to me now?” he asks with his lips against my skin.

I let out a heavy sigh. I really don’t want to talk about this. It would be next to impossible to get him to see my position. Instead of dismissing his need for discussion, I stay still with him wrapped around me as he pleads his case.

“I know you don’t want all flowers and frills, baby. I get that. I understand why you don’t want a big wedding, and that’s okay too. Just work with me here. This is your day, and I know how it’s supposed to be special and perfect, and I want to give you that, Bentley. If you let me, I promise it will be perfect. All I ask is that you agree to do it before the she’s born,” he presses.

“So you still want to take the details out of my hands? You expect me to just go along with whatever you plan? How is that fair, Tristan? You’re telling me I have a say, but the fact is I don’t. You’re going to do this behind my back and I’m just supposed to take your word for it that you aren’t going to do exactly what you planned.”